Marion Fire District
P.O. Box 939, 180 Gopher Lane, Marion, MT 59925
Phone: (406) 854-2828 / Fax: (406) 854-9330
Website: www.marionfd.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES – Minutes
Board of trustees in attendance: Aarron Jones, Betty Heino, Sarah Reide
Other guests in attendance: Bob Blankenship (standing in for Chief Jason Hill), Captain Neil Heino (for EMS
report only), Sue Dexter, Emily Eagan
Community members in attendance: Lily Brower, Blake Howell
DATE: May 20, 2026
Time: 6:32 pm
Place: Marion Fire District Community Center at 180 Gopher Lane, Marion, MT
PLEDGE
PUBLIC COMMENT
(Matters under the jurisdiction of the Marion Fire District Board of Trustees that are not on the agenda may
be addressed by the public at this time. However, the Board is generally prohibited from taking action on
matters until the public has been provided sufficient notice.)
- No public comment
AGENDA
I. Call to Order, Roll Call & Establishment of Quorum was completed by Chairman Aarron Jones
II. Consent to Agenda
a. Betty Heino: Motion to consent to agenda
i. Sarah Reide seconded
ii. Motion passed
III. Approve previous board minutes (April 2026)
a. Sarah Reide: Motion to approve April 30th minutes with amendment of removing, “See
attached information packets” on previous minutes.
i. Betty Heino seconded
ii. Motion passed
IV. Reports
a. Financial Reports (through end of April) – Sue Dexter (see attached report)
i. Review of current warrants / claims for payment
ii. Review Treasurer’s Reports
iii. Working on budget
1. No dollar amount in budget that accounts for California fires
2. Any additional funds received will be put in capital account
iv. Pintler Account Update
v. Radio grant
vi. Aarron Jones: spoke with Aaron King (DNRC), they are lacking in personnel and need an
engine boss potentially from Marion
1. Discussion on extending engine boss from Marion FD
a. Potential revenue from this
b. Several current engine bosses, others close to receiving
c. Priority will be Marion FD
b. Fire Chief report & updates – Bob Blankenship (standing in for Chief Jason) (see attached
report)
i. Calls overview
ii. Personnel – Ashley people are coming back into town, another volunteer is back
iii. Review of station maintenance and repair updates
iv. 1192 truck updates completed
v. 1133 engine replacement fundraising discussion
1. Betty Heino: potential concerns from community on reason for fundraising
a. Add something to website
b. Availability of parts is limited
c. What we hope to gain from fundraiser will be enough to cover new tender
vi. Ongoing and completed projects overview
1. Bitterroot
2. Boisvert
3. Auxiliary – received turnouts
vii. Community events recap
1. July 4th Parade
a. Carnival is opening earlier
b. Booth for board
i. Discussion around merchandise to sell
ii. Emily Eagan – assigned project to finalize with Chief Jason
2. Spring into Safety event is this weekend – 1181 will be there
viii. Overview of trainings
1. Chief Hill and Captain Townsend attended Emerging Leaders Conference
2. EMR course just started
3. Wildland training
ix. Other updates
1. ISO meeting waiting final report
2. Waiting for quotes for new tender with specifications
3. Annexation of McGregor Meadows
a. Property has been completed
c. EMS report – Captain Neil Heino (see attached report)
i. New EMR class
1. 6 people
a. 2 people in Ashley, 4 in Marion
ii. New county guidelines
1. Helicopter in air anytime there is an ALS
iii. Still looking for paramedic – talk about next month during budget
iv. Asphalt in Ashley is still being worked on – will be in the next budget
1. Breakfast in July in Ashley will help generate additional funds to finish project
V. Action Items
a. Removal of Brian Dodge as signer on department checking account
a. See attached letter – read by Aarron Jones
b. Sarah Reide: Motion to remove Brian dodge as a signer on department checking
account.
i. Betty Heino seconded
ii. Motion passed
VI. Additional discussion items:
a. Permissive mill levy updates
i. Paying for medical for personnel
ii. Sue Dexter provided additional details:
1. Covering health insurance for paid staff = $30,000/year
2. There is a timeline to apply
3. Requesting confirmation from board if we would like to proceed
4. Sarah Reide: she recommends postponing and reviewing next year
a. Betty Heino in agreeance
b. Aarron Jones requesting specific details on numbers in order to make
more accurate decision
i. How many other departments in Montana also participate
1. Sue Dexter – no other departments in our area, other
departments have inquired but not implemented
c. Betty Heino – request to bring back more information in 6 months
d. Sue Dexter – will present again in January with more information
5. This would be an extra line item on taxpayers’ bill
6. Public comment and discussion on purpose and details of levy
a. Sue: $30,000 would come from taxpayers instead of the FD budget
VII. New business:
a. None
VIII. Announcements:
a. Board openings (2)
a. Advertise available board positions on website and social media
b. Emily Eagan – what would the board like said on the posting
i. Board member must be a community member, own property, and be a
registered voter
c. Include information and applications at 4
th of July booth
i. Have forms available to people who are interested
b. Next meeting: June 25th @ 6:30pm
IX. Adjournment – Time 7:52 pm
a. Sarah Reide: Motion to adjourn
i. Betty Heino seconded
ii. Motion passed